Rating the Top 6 Max Cushion Running Shoes
Below we are rating the top 6 max cushion running shoes on the market. See how we rated the ASICS Superblast 3, Adidas Hyperboost Edge, Mizuno Neo Vista 3, Saucony Paramount Max, Hoka Skyward X2, and Saucony Hurricane 26 on their long run capabilities, bounce, speed, stability, comfort, fun factor, and more.
Max cushion running shoes have come a long way. Some are built to disappear on easy miles, while others are surprisingly versatile enough for long runs, workouts, and everything in between. Here’s how these six stack up based on our testing, with the Adidas Hyperboost Edge and ASICS Superblast 3 leading the pack and each shoe bringing something different to the table.
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ASICS Superblast 3—90
The ASICS Superblast 3 is a jack of all trades max cushion shoe that perfectly combines a springy, soft race foam with stability. With the softer FFLeap foam underfoot, it might not be our favorite pick for long runs or speed work on this list, but it excels at being a fun, bouncy shoe.
ASICS Superblast 3
Saucony Paramount Max—81
A big, boaty max cushion cruiser, the Saucony Paramount Max blends modern comfort with retro styling. The Paramount Max features Saucony's IncrediRun foam that is also found in their marathon race shoe, the Endorphin Elite 3; but in this implementation, the foam is not as bouncy, lively, or fun. The flatter geometry and comfort-oriented version of this foam result in the Paramount Max being a much better relaxed mileage, comfort shoe than one that you'd want to take for any uptempo miles or a long run. It does excel in the drip department though—we are a huge fan of the style!
Saucony Paramount Max
Mizuno Neo Vista 3—83
The Mizuno Neo Vista 3 is a smooth, fun, long run-oriented shoe with a goldilocks foam and an excellent rocker geometry. It's not the most stable of the shoes on our list, and despite the plastic plate, we wouldn't take it for any speed workouts. It also loses some points in the style department.
Mizuno Neo Vista 3
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Adidas Hyperboost Edge—91
Arguably the most versatile max cushion shoe on the market, the Adidas Hyperboost Edge features a bouncy, non-plated midsole and a fun rocker. It is an excellent long run shoe, and is the fastest shoe on this list too. The expanded PEBA midsole foam is incredibly responsive and protective. While the looks of this shoe are quite polarizing, we have grown to love it due to its top tier ride and performance.
Adidas Hyperboost Edge
Hoka Skyward X2—85
The Hoka Skyward X2 is a dual foam, carbon-plated max stack shoe that offers a stable, highly-protective ride for stacking mileage. Don't be fooled by the carbon fiber plate—the Skyward X2 is not a shoe that we'd want to take for a workout our uptempo run, but it is very comfortable, decently stable, and an excellent pick for the long run.
Hoka Skyward X 2
Saucony Hurricane 26—83
Not as fun or bouncy as others on this list, the Saucony Hurricane 26 delivers an incredibly smooth, comfortable and stable ride for recovery runs. Like the Triumph 24, it features Saucony's new ATPU foam that they are calling IncrediLux. In this implementation, it doesn't have a lot of speed assistance or bounce, and we wouldn't call it fun, but it is very stable, reliable, and comfortable long run shoe.
Saucony Hurricane 26
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